It's the most wonderful (busy) time of year

We did our annual Toys for Tots family home evening on the third. The kids each picked a toy and we donated it. We've tried to do our part to light the world this season. Peter took a can of food in to school each day of December. Both kids took socks for a giving tree at school. We bought some groceries for people at the store and donated to a bunch of things like the local outreach program, St. Judes, and fire disaster relief in California. We've shared our love with goodies and Christmas cheer. Really I'm so grateful for the opportunity to spread some light this season and hope it's something my kids learn and cherish as they grow up.
The kids joined me for both young women's activities this month and we're supposed to this past week, but Peter was too sick to go. On the fifth I had made a service scavenger hunt for all the young women to do. The kids and I stayed at the church (because I didn't want to haul them around getting in and out of the car every ten min.) On the twelfth was just my beehives activity where we made treat plates for people in the ward and played games. I was in charge this past Wednesday but with Peter sick and Alice semi sick I passed on my duties to another. Young women's is a great calling, but it sure is filling my plate sometimes. I planned all three activities this month and am planning new beginnings last minute with the new changes and a bunch of girls joining in a couple of weeks we're trying to prepare.
Kendal had practice that Thursday in the LA Thomas so Peter, Alice, and I joined. Alice donned a jersey (or two ; ) and happily ran around. Peter shot hoops for awhile till a friend came and they played tag. We grabbed some tacos and went to watch a bit of basketball and give Casey some dinner. We didn't stay too long since it was a school night. We also signed Peter up for basketball. He'll start in January!

 

December 7th the kids had their dentist check up. All three did great and are cavity free. To give them a bit if extra fun we went over to the mall to the new indoor playground to play for awhile and got pizza on the way home.
December 8th Kendal had a basketball game in the morning. It was close but they ended up losing. After the game we jetted out to Raft River for the Webb party. It was full of the usual, food, games, cereal pass, and singing. It's fun to see family, catch up, and spend time together. Afterwards we hung out at Mom and Dad D's till just after dinnertime then headed home.

 

The church hosted a community choir night on the 9th. Kendal's school choir got to participate and sing a couple of songs. She did so good. Peter did not want to be there and let it be known the whole time, and Alice didn't appreciate being confined to a bench again on a Sunday.
I let Kendal and Peter join Casey for a practice one afternoon. They had fun with the girls. But Casey said his girls paid more attention to the "cute" kids than practice.
Casey turned 35 this year! I made him ham and cheese sliders to take to work for their two week food thing they do every December. I also made Hawaiian burgers and carrot pineapple cake that evening. He's a pretty amazing guy! My love, admiration, respect, and heart grows for him every year. We truly got a good one as a Dad and husband!

Kendal had her choir concert on the 13th. Peter was wandering during the 5th grade hand bell part, but thankfully sat through the choir singing. (Grandma D was going to give him a taking to if he hadn't sat down. ; ) Alice didn't want to stay put so Casey had to wander in the back with her (probably why Peter wandered also). Kendal was wonderful and sang so well! David, Brooke, and Meadow were also in the choir. Kendal has loved her experience and will continue after the new year!

 
 Kendal ended her basketball season last Saturday. They played at nine and noon. They won their first game, but lost the second. She scored in the first game!! So overall her team won five games and lost two this year. She's picking up speed in games and doing great at defense. It's hard for her to get much ball time with better / taller girls, but I'm happy she loves it and I know her skills will continue to grow!

 

After Kendal's last game we headed straight over to our first time seeing Casey's team play this season. The kids got face painted and snacked away till Peter and Kendal went off to help Mrs Makings sand wooden blocks for her kindergarteners. Casey's team lost that game, but overall they're having a good season. We just haven't been to games because of schedules, kids not listening, sickness, young women's, and my lack of wanting to take a toddler and keep track of her. I'm sure we'll hit up some more before the season ends. Alice was falling asleep by the end of the game so we left, put her down for a nap and watched Christmas Chronicles.

 

 

This week has been full of sick. Alice had a slight cold, with a lingering cough, but she's teething and miserable on top of it. Peter missed two days of school being sick. His teacher had around ten kids missing most of the week and we were told a kid in his class has influenza, : / plus I've been sick throughout our all. So we're trying to conquer the sick before the holidays and more sick inevitably comes our way.
Kendal got to go to a basketball clinic Casey's girls put on Wednesday. She loved it!
The kids had a dress up week at school. They had wear green day, elf / reindeer day, Grinch day, ugly sweater day, and pj / sweats day. Peter didn't want to dress up on the days he went, but was willing to on pj day. I was in charge for Kendal's class party. It was a lot to get a bunch of moms to commit and plans set, but it worked out. I ended up doing a craft with the kids. We made little Tomte gnomes that are a Scandinavian tradition. The kids had fun, Alice had more fun coloring herself and wandering around the class.

 

  

We said goodbye to Goobie this week. He's been around for fifteen years and been a decent car up till more recent years when he's been breaking down bit by bit. Fittingly we sold the car to a guy who's mechanic father in law will fix it up for his teenage daughter. Hopefully it carries her through many years and great memories like it did me.

I'm honestly a bit fried with this month's frenzy. My load has been full lately and packed with busy, crazy, sick, planning, making, and doing. I'll get by, it's what I do. . Looking forward to Christmas and family time over the holiday break!
A couple more pics (even though these three add a lot to my insanity level, I love them beyond words!) p.s. Don't have butter out for a toddler to find, eat, and decorate the couch or herself with.

 

Thanksgiving and more

Peter had a Thanksgiving play on the 16th. He got to play the part of a pilgrim in the play. He was a bit demanding over his costume. The original costume I made out of paper Peter refused to wear because other kids had "better" costumes. So I put together a lame, yet not paper version for his top and he was pleased (long story short sometimes less is more). He did wonderful in the play. He sang so well and did great giving his part! Alice enjoyed the play and clapped the whole time.

 

Kendal has played a few basketball games now with three more to go. She's won all of them so far. She's loving basketball this year! Her team is mostly 4th graders, but she does ok keeping up with them. She may not get the ball as much as she'd like, but when she does she makes the most of it and does her best!

 

Saturday the 17th Casey and I got a rare date thanks to swapping babysitting with our friends the Birks. We went to see Fantastic Beasts Crimes of Grinderwald. So good. I'll forever be a Harry Potter fan!
We decided it would be more money to fix old Gus than the car was worth so we chose to get a new car. Since our other car is older also with more than 100k miles we decided to go for a newer family car and Casey will take over Gus Gus as his work car.  So Saturday afternoon Kendal went to a play date and Peter and Alice joined us in our car hunt. I had done my research so we had a list of cars to look at. We ended up with a Blue Ford escape from Middlekauff Ford. The process took a couple of hours, thankfully the kids managed well waiting around the dealership for so long. The price couldn't be beat anywhere and even though it was a couple thousand more than we planned it's practically a new car and will last for a long long time! We're happy with the car so far and even broke it in with a trip to Logan for Thanksgiving. We've landed on Toto as it's name : )

I had the idea to put up the tree before our Thanksgiving break. When I realized how early Thanksgiving was in the month this year I was ready to wait; but the kids were told and wouldn't let it go so we HAD to put up the tree. It went up Sunday and we decorated it for family home evening the next night. I'll slowly put up the rest in the next week. (I'm on my rush since my little "helpers" are already going at the tree to much.

The kids had mini cold over that weekend that they kindly shared with Casey and I. Casey ended up taking the day off of work Tuesday because he didn't feel good and knew his voice wouldn't last. He did go to his basketball games that night though.
Kendal had her well check in Wednesday and I added myself onto the end of the appointment due to ulcers and a wicked cold (pretty much bronchitis) I was given a slew of meds to take for the following week and a hope my ulcers would get better (which they finally have. November has been a long month with to much sick : /.
That afternoon we headed to Logan for Thanksgiving break. The kids were up at six on Thanksgiving. (Not ideal in any sense of the word). We had our big dinner at one. The whole family got to be there and Nana got to join us too! We kept it simple this year, but it was still great. Anica, Mom, and I snuck away hoping for a good JCP deal between dinner and pie. We got to enjoy the day away enjoying family time! I meant to take pictures, but the only one I got was the kids right before bed.

Friday my mom and I hit up a few places for sales. Katherine took Kendal for her birthday present of arcade time at the Fun Park. She had so much fun with Katherine and hit the jackpot in a game coming home with lots of loot! We pulled out my parents tree and Alice helped grandma put her bears on the tree.

Saturday Casey took the kids to the Home Depot craft and then to the shop for a bit. They enjoy the builds and like exporting Grandpas shop shoo their morning was fantastic.  David, Anica, and the boys came and we got to enjoy the day with them as well. That evening we went out to Nanas. We took dinner and helped set up a bit of Christmas (really we just made a mess and got out tons of stuff, but hopefully it was helpful in some capacity.) The kids enjoy time at Nanas! They played with the toys and beat Uncle David at battleship. We left from Nanas to come home. It was a nice break to Logan and the kids are excited to go back at Christmas time!
(picture before is our little cutie in one of my black Friday steals)

Casey did his annual no shave November. He grew a nice beard.(but I'll always prefer him smooth ; ) Casey's had a slew of games this past month. They've mostly been away and have won many of them!

I've been busy with kids, Christmas, family, friends, Young women's, and just life. It's been a very busy month, with more to go this next month! Thankfully I'm finally getting over the sick that has seemed to stick around all month.
We started December with a bit of snow today. Kendal had a game this morning. This afternoon Casey's parents dropped by after a day of watching grandkids basketball games. We took the kids to start a new tradition of sibling gifts. We decided to do books and spent over an hour at the bookstore picking, choosing, wandering, and playing. Tonight we got to go to the community Christmas celebration in Kimberly. Kendal sang a few songs with her choir. They did great! We saw the nativities in the gym and then got to go outside to see Santa and some fireworks. We ended our family filled day by watching Incredibles two. Good movie, with some kids similar to a few we know ; ).

 

Happy ninth birthday Kendal!!

Our sweet little lady turned nine today! Kendal is still our Sweet Pea; kind, loving, smart, sensitive, and happy. She's got a full schedule right now with piano, choir, Achievement days, and basketball. She's improving and growing in piano! She loves choir and loves it even more because her best buds are in it with her. She's always loved basketball and is enjoying herself so far this season and made a basket at her game Saturday!
Kendal loves school so much! (she gets upset when there are days off.) She likes everything about school and can't pick her favorite.
We're so lucky this awesome little lady is in our lives!

  

Kendal's interview of favorites this year!
Favorite color: Pink and Blue
Favorite Toy: American Girl doll
Favorite food: Cheeseburger
Favorite animal: All of them!
Favorite song: I'll be what I believe
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite books: Thea Stilton, Harry Potter, Sisters Grim
When I grow up: Teacher, and Coach
Favorite part of school: Everything
Nicknames: Sweet Pea and Little Lady
Favorite part of birthday: Spending time with family. I

Other favorites I'm adding: art, unicorns, church, butterflies, time with friends, and Wii time.

Kendal's main gift for her birthday this year was her bike that we bought awhile ago. We wanted her to enjoy it in the warm weather, not just whenever winter let her. This morning she opened a pair of earrings and a new book from us. She happily requested rice krispies (her favorite cereal) for breakfast so I added sprinkles for some fun.  She had a great day at school. Alice and I took rice krispie treats to her class too! After school Kendal got to open a sweet package from Aunt Peggy with a new book, a card from cousins, and then she got to open up her presents from Grandma and Grandpa Loosle while skyping them! They gave her jammies, a cute rhyming book, a butterfly ornament, and her much anticipated big fluffy pillow of a butterfly! She's in love with it and took it off to bed to cuddle. (so I'll add a picture of her with it tomorrow). Grandma Darrington drove all the way up yesterday to give Kendal her get card and some money that she wants to save up for roller blades.
For her birthday experience this year she chose to take Brooke and Meadow out for ice cream tomorrow and I'm going to take her to the high school princess play Saturday!

"I get knocked down, but I get up again" . . .

We had our primary program on the 28th. Peter sang, wiggled a lot, and whispered his part (aka his most successful program to date!). Kendal really got into the songs, shared her part, and loved being apart of the program. Casey's parents came up to see the kids in the program.
Casey started basketball the last week of October. He had tryouts for a few days and is now into his season with three games done and . . . to go.
Because Casey had basketball Halloween night I decided to opt out of typical trick or treating with three kids. So I talked the kids into going to a Harry Potter maze and activity. The kids got to go through a maze with Harry Potter and Luna answering riddles, battling Voldermort, and getting Dragon eggs. They also got to decorate a cookie, practice spells, play games, make art, and just have loads of fun. Alice was a trooper in the stroller most of the time till the end so we found a slide to enjoy. It was a fun and memorable night!

 

 

 

Early the following morning Peter threw up so I kept him home from school. Poor kid didn't have a good day. Unfortunately the sick spread, Kendal was next and ended up missing her first game Saturday and church Sunday. I stayed home from church with the girls and  switched with Casey to give my lesson.  Alice and I were hit with the bug as well and Monday was spent cuddling on the couch. (Even while sick, little miss still wants to get naked and have her dolls join in to. This little one sure keeps things interesting ; )

Tuesday the sixth was my mom's surgery. She went in to have an RNS device put onto her skull and brain. (It's a device tho stimulate my mom's brain as she seizures to help shorten or stop them.) It was an emotional couple of days, but my mom is a champ and her surgery went well! So grateful it's done, and hopeful for the help it'll give her. Kate Birk was sweet and came and helped me with the kids that night and was a listening ear for this frazzled lady.
Tuesday was also parent teachers conference. Kendal and Peter are doing well academically. We just need to work on confidence and focus with Peter. Both kids are enjoying their teachers and class this year!
Wednesday; with Casey at basketball I took all three kids to young women's with me. The Beehives were in charge, so I had a lot to do. We cleaned all the nursery toys. The kids "helped" with that. We tied three quilts also that night and Kendal got to help a bit. She was elated to learn a new skill and wants to make a quilt now. Alice was either playing, bonking her head on quilt boards, wanting to be in my arms, or trying to get "yummies" from the girls.

Alice and I went down Thursday to help with my mom's recovery. Alice was a little busy body the whole stay, but a good distraction and amusement sometimes, other times she was a teething, typical toddler. I'm so grateful I could go down and help out. My mom is so strong and is getting better everyday. My poor Dad has had a rough week as well with migraines and getting sick but hopefully he's on the mend as well.

 

There was no school Friday. The kids got to spend the morning playing with Dad and neighbor Echo. Cheryl came and stayed with the kids Friday night while Casey was off at a game. They joined Vanessa and her crew for a Harry Potter movie night. The next morning Casey and Kendal had games at the same time do Cheryl took the kids for the morning. First Kendal's game (she did great and made a basket!!), then the high school JV game, lunch, then Becca's game. That afternoon Casey took the kids to Pocatello to play at Nicole's while he went to the Kimberly football game. They stayed overnight in Raft River. Unfortunately Casey's car had some major troubles on the way home cutting my trip to Logan a bit short, but thus is life.
So I'm back home and into our busy routine of things. Looking forward to Kendal's birthday in a couple of days and Thanksgiving next week!

October in a flash

I feel like I'm always playing catch up with the writing. Because my free time is when Alice is napping or sleeping, and that precious spare time this month has been filled with other to dos. Plus the computer I prefer to use is in the room with the sleeping little one. So here's the last few weeks highlights.

Piano is in full swing. The weather has been so nice that I've spent every Monday afternoon outside with the kids while piano is going on inside. (Most of my Monday mornings I have James and Thomas over while Vanessa mentors) so it's a full day of kids. Kendal finished her first set of piano books and is going on the next. I'm proud of her for all the work she's put in. She's doing well and enjoying piano.

Casey and I snuck in a date earlier in the month. We went and did a round of mini golf, shopped for Tupperware (super romantic), had a yummy dinner at La Fiesta, and got some cookies on the way home. We don't really get date nights out so it was nice to just have some us time. I got to hold his hand and sit next to him at dinner. Woot woot! ; )

I joined Peter's class for the field trip to the corn maze on the 11th. I took Peter and his buddy through the maze. I was given misleading directions and we ended up back at the beginning then had to "cheat" our way out. The boys wanted to run through the whole thing, however it was to muddy so I held them back a bit. The kids got to pick pumpkins at the end as well.

 

It rained and cancelled two of the last three soccer games, but finally the last game of the season was decent enough for the kids to play. Both of the kids had a good season and enjoyed playing this year! When Peter was into the game he played great and did a wonderful job, when he wasn't into the game he was in his own world. Kendal tried and improved through the season. While she has a bit to learn (less talking on the field, and a little more focus) she did great for her first year!

 

Last week was an early release on Wednesday so we had Brooke and Meadow over to play. Kendal has been missing her best buds something fierce so she was beyond excited to have them here. (Truthfully she's had a bit off a hard time finding a new group to "join" at school. She's so friendly she gets along with everyone and can play in most groups she just hasn't find one she's felt completely apart of yet. I know she will, just takes time and a little courage sometimes.)
Kendal has also started basketball. She did a couple of open gyms and then had try outs so they could make the teams "equal" in skill. She's looking good and ready to start her season this next week!

Alice is definitely in her active toddlers phase with a good dose of mischief and sass to go with it. She's opinionated and knows what she wants, which is fine until she's dragging chairs to climb up and get it, or crawling into my bed to find daddy's candy stash on his nightstand, and thinks wearing clothes and a diaper is overratedoverrated (hello duct tape diapers). She's also learned how to climb out of her crib this past week. One day I didn't hear her get up from her nap. Next thing I knew I had her tapping at her door. Well, that night we tried countless times to put her to bed only to have her climb out. We had to wait till she would fully stay down which was at a quarter to eleven. Then a train woke her early the next morning and out she climbed. So let's just say her crib is now pretty much on the floor. We love her funny attitude and silly ways, just have to keep an eye on her ; ) 

  

 

I had the opportunity to go with the youth to do baptisms last weekend. I've never seen the Twin Falls Temple baptistry. Even though I was on bathroom attendant duty it was still a neat experience. I've never served in Young Women's before. I was intimidated at first, but I feel like I'm getting the hang of things and my respect for Casey teaching these kids everyday has increased my respect for him a hundred fold.
 I've been asked this month by the Stake YW presidency to forgo social media for the month. Honestly I've felt like I've missed out on stuff, however it's given me back time to get things done, and a better perspective of living in the world, but not of the world.
 My friend Kate lost her baby a little over a week ago. It breaks my heart, but it's been so incredible to see her and her husband's faith through this tragedy. So heartbreaking, and makes me so grateful for God's plan and eternal families.
I've also taken on reading the Book of Mormon before the year ends. My goal has been to finish before Thanksgiving so I've read twenty pages almost every day. Casey has taken on the challenge also and he's doing great! I'm so grateful for this book, the knowledge, light, and guidance it gives. Christ is indeed apart off all things and always there for us if we are worthy of him, seek him, and keep holding onto faith and hope.

Yesterday was the kids' harvest parties. Kendal won a game in her class and came home with loads of goodies! (She also reached her AR goal this week!) Alice and I joined Peter's class to make boo bubbles (bubbles made by the power of dry ice, that are also filed with the "vapor smoke"off dry ice) the kids loved seeing and playing with the bubbles. It was a fun time! Alice had an even better time going back and forth between me and the snack table. 

It was an early release day so we got to have Brooke and Meadow over for a play date again. We did more boo bubbles since I had leftover dry ice and the kids played outside to their hearts content!

Last night was our trunk or treat and ward harvest party. I decked the trunk out with Harry Potter stuff. I made a sorting hat, textbooks, balloon owl, cauldron, hanging banners, and floating candles. My creative juices were in overdrive this week. It was overkill for a dark night of trunk or treating, but alas I do love me some Harry Potter. For Halloween this year Kendal will be Hermione, Peter is Harry Potter, and Alice is Hedwig the owl! The ward had a chili dinner and then the kids got to go around doing a costume parade to music while cars were set up. Finally they got to trunk or treat to end the night! Sorry for the lack of pictures. Casey left for a playoff game while Alice and I handed out candy and the other two walked around.

Today we carved / shaved pumpkins. We did it during Alice's nap and made one for her because the thought of her around knives and the mess just didn't sound fun. After much debate Kendal chose a butterfly, Peter a monkey, and we gave Alice her initial. Daddy and Peter drilled hearts in the pumpkin also. Kendal had a birthday party this afternoon and got to go to skateland so the rest of us watched the Han Solo movie. Peter loved it!